Page 93 of Sunrise over Strawberry Hill Farm

‘I wanted to say thank you,’ carried on Tyson’s mother. ‘Tyson’s like a different boy these days. He’s happier now and that means the world to me.’

‘You’re welcome,’ said Flora. ‘But we’re so grateful for his help around here. He’s a genius with any kind of engine. Only last week he fixed a fault on the tractor for me.’

Tyson’s mother smiled at her. ‘He’s always been the same, mad about anything with moving parts. I guess people don’t really change, do they?’

She walked away, leaving Flora mulling over her words. Deep inside, however, Flora knew that she was wrong. Because Flora had changed. She had learnt to go with the flow, roll with the changes and embrace them. And because of that, she was happier in herself.

Except she wasn’t. Because she wasn’t sure what she was these days, except miserable. Luckily, she was hopeful that she was hiding it pretty well.

‘Hi,’ said Harriet, suddenly appearing from nearby.

‘Hey,’ said Flora, giving her a hug. ‘I didn’t expect to see you here today.’

Harriet gave a happy sigh. ‘It’s starting to wind down on the lavender fields now that summer’s nearly ending. And thank goodness, we’re absolutely shattered!’

Summer was nearly over. Flora gave an involuntary gulp at the thought which made Harriet frown.

‘Are you okay?’ she gasped, studying her friend’s face.

‘I’m fine,’ said Flora quickly. ‘So the visitor numbers over there have calmed down?’

‘At last,’ said Harriet. ‘It’s been great, but truth be known, I’ll be grateful for a few days off! You must be the same.’

Flora nodded. ‘I guess so.’ Although in truth, it had been good to be so busy on the campsite. She looked at Harriet. ‘I was thinking I might even book myself into the spa as a treat.’

‘Wow! I mean, of course!’ said Harriet. ‘But you can always have a massage on the house.’

‘Absolutely not,’ said Flora. ‘We’ve made a small profit this summer and I promised I would treat my myself at the end of it.’

‘Okay. Well, I’d love to see you over there,’ Harriet told her. ‘Is there anything in particular that you’d like? Or needs attention?’

Only my heart, thought Flora, but she shook her head.

‘How about I treat you to a manicure before Saturday’s end of summer party?’ said Harriet with a smile.

‘I think they’re beyond repair at this point,’ said Flora, glancing at her torn and ragged nails.

‘Nonsense,’ Harriet told her. ‘Besides, everyone deserves a treat.’

Flora hugged her friend, thankful for her support. She was going to need it even more so over the autumn. The farm was safe, it had a secure future now with the campsite. It was just her that needed saving now and she wasn’t sure anything or anyone was going to be able to do that for her. Except Nico.

He had done so much for her that she wanted to thank him in some way before he left. She had an idea as to what kind of goodbye present she could give to him. She owed him so much, for teaching her so many things. And she knew just what would please him the most.

The trouble was that the only thing she really wanted to give him was her heart, forever.

57

It was a great party, thought Nico. So why did he feel so utterly miserable?

The party was a celebration that it was the end of the summer season. The lavender fields were now closed to the public and would be harvested for their flowers within a couple of days before the weather turned as September arrived. That would herald the closing of the campsite as well.

His time in Cranfield was coming to an end.

But at least the campsite had been successful, he thought. And he was glad because it meant that Flora and Grams could stay at Strawberry Hill Farm.

He gulped. Without him, of course. Life would carry on. Perhaps Flora would get married and have a family. Grams bouncing the baby on her knee. For a second, he could hardly breathe. Everything he had, everything he wanted, was right here in Cranfield.

But Flora wasn’t his. He watched her now chatting with Tyler, smiling and looking happy. But he could feel his whole body growing rigid.